The California Legislature today is conducting a joint hearing on Proposition 16 – the measure PG&E crafted for the June 8 ballot requiring a super majority of voters to approve any attempts to weaken the for-profit's monopoly on retail power sales.

William David Wood, 24, was sentenced to 14 years in state prison Tuesday in San Joaquin County Superior Court after pleading guilty to one count of assault with a firearm and an enhancement of using a firearm during commission of a felony.

More than 3,400 homes, offices, and commercial establishments around Manteca High School were left in the dark Friday evening when strong winds caused a power pole to snap like a giant pencil, sending dangerous live wires scattered on the ground and dangling precariously overhead.

When teachers retire, they say goodbye to their students and to the years-long everyday grind in the classroom, but not to close friends. At least, that holds true to a group of retired teachers and staff from George McParland Elementary School. Once a month, these former coworkers take time out to catch up on post-retirement stories and simply renew close friendships over a scrumptious luncheon.